Martin J-40 - Rate and Review

Likes: Best sound for my playing styles. I bought this one new in 1989 and have yet to find any other guitar that can top it! Ideal balance, sustain and tone. No dead spots or wolf tones for even the extended chords with tons of overtones and harmonics. It plays clean over the entire range and the tone is outstanding.

Dislikes: None

Additional Comments: This has been my main guitar for over 23 years and I'll keep on going. It keeps getting better! About 4 years ago it had a split through the bridge. Was sent back to the Martin factory, they said the bridge plate had failed. It needed a refret so I had them do it all. Martin replaced the bridge plate and bridge, gave the whole guitar a respray and buff job, did a neck reset and repaired anything else plus the set up all covered 100% under the lifetime warranty, I only paid for a fret job. It came back like new and sounded better than ever! I play many styles, jazz, blues, bluegrass, bossanova, country and this J-40 has no limits to it's range. Soft or loud the dynamic range is there. I play finger style with a thumb pic and the bass can really thump even when dampened. Amazing guitar and Martin is a great company to deal with.

Additional Comments: My J40 was one of the first remakes, the music store I purchased it from Insisted That The Martin Salesman leave him the guitar That he was using to demonstrate the new line. I finally talked him out of it. I have always known that I made the right choice. It keeps getting better over the years. I have always received compliments from anyone that I let play the instrument (Not many that I will). Many offers to buy.. This guitar has a home. Never heard better. (playing all types of music for over 40yrs.)

Likes: Purchased one of the first J-40M models in 1986. Fantastic guitar, regretted selling it. The new J-40 is even better in overall sound, volume and sustain. The J-40 also has the bling factor that the J-40M did not. Wonderful all-purpose acoustic guitar. Great deal at Maury's.

Dislikes: It took me so long to replace the J-40M.

Additional Comments: I have never seen a better deals on Martin guitars than at Maury's Music. (not a paid endorsement)

Likes: Sweet even tone not bass heavy or to bright. Comfortable neck and playing position weather seated or standing.

Dislikes: None

Additional Comments: After eighteen year's I still love it, the spruce top has a lovely golden color now. A few year's back Martin offered abalone inlayed ebony tuning machine button's that I replaced the gold one's with and I replaced the plastic for the ebony bridge pins. It looks terrific. If you are on the fence about which one to get stop the J-40 is the one.

Likes: The sound i wanted to hear was in my head before I went guitar shopping back in 1987. I played no less than 25 different guitar models. When I strummed the J-40, it had "that sound". After 20 years it's still the best sounding acoustic I've ever played.

Dislikes: not enough time to play as much as i like.

Name: David DDate: Feb 26, 2008Review: Martin J40Rating you give the Martin J-40: 5 - Best thing I ever played

Like about the Martin J40: Full rich and incredibly balanced

Dislike about the Martin J-40: There is nothing to dislike about this instrument

Additional Comments: I own nearly a dozen Martins and two "boutique" guitars. This Martin is a dream come true. A strum across all six strings exhibits a perfect balance of volume and lush tone. If I could keep just one guitar, this would be the one. I wish I had had the opportunity to try one years ago.

Like about the Martin J-40: Bought it in 1990, and it has become a great old friend. It has been refinished, has a new saddle, and has been refretted 3 times since then, and it just keeps getting better. It has seen countless stages and crowds, as well as most of my lows and highs. If I could speak to the me about to purchase this guitar 17 years ago, I'd say I was about to make the right choice.

Name: LennyDate: July 1 2007Review: 1990 Martin J40Rating you give the Martin J-40: 5 - Best thing I ever played

Like about the Martin J40: Exceptional all round sound quality for differnt style.

Dislike about the Martin J-40: Should be built with compensated saddle.

Additional Comments: Have taken it to guitar builders for refret, saddle work, accessories, etc. They advise me that it is one of the best, they've played.

Forum username: Maverick56Date: March 21, 2007Review: Martin J40Rating you give the Martin J-40: 5 - Best thing I ever played

Like about the Martin J40: The sound is outstanding. I own a Gibson J200, cannot match the quality. I owned a Gibson Hummingbird, junk compared to the Martin J40. I own a Martin HD28, Comparable in quality but not near as deep and mellow in the low ranges.

Dislike about the Martin J-40: Ain't got none!

Name: John MiatechDate: 5/1/06Review: Martin J40Rating you gave the Martin J-40: 5 - Best thing I ever bought

Like about the Martin J40: A beautiful, full-sounding guitar, matching the looks and sound of the more expensive D45 with a fuller, mellow tone. A great, great instrument, especially for the price! I love it!